What does scape mean?
A scape is a leafless stalk that bears a flower, most often rising directly from the base of a plant. Dandelions provide the familiar example: each yellow flower head is carried on a smooth, hollow-looking scape that rises above the plant's jagged leaves. In botanical usage, the word is more specific than stem or stalk, since a scape is distinguished by carrying a flower without bearing leaves along its length. The related architectural sense describes a slender decorative projection resembling such a plant stalk. Outside specialist writing, scape is uncommon and may be mistaken for escape because of its spelling; its pronunciation, however, is identical. A botanist would therefore distinguish a flower's supporting scape from an ordinary stem or from the peduncle of a flower cluster.
nounA leafless stalk that bears a flower or flowers, especially one rising directly from the base of a plant. The term is chiefly botanical and is not a general synonym for stem.
- A leafless flower-bearing stalk, especially one arising from the base of a plant.
- A slender, upright decorative projection resembling a plant stalk, especially in architectural ornament.
"The dandelion sends up a slender scape topped by a bright yellow flower."
"Each violet plant produced a single flowering scape that stood well above the leaves."
"The stone column was enriched with carved scapes curling outward from its upper edge."
The plural is scapes, particularly when referring to the separate flowering stalks of a plant.
"Several tall scapes rose above the dense mat of leaves."
A dandelion's familiar yellow flower is not really a single bloom: it is a cluster of tiny florets crowning a leafless scape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scape come from?
The word entered English from New Latin scapus, a botanical term for a stalk. Latin scapus itself came from the Greek skapos, meaning a staff, rod, or stalk. The same Greek term underlies several words associated with staffs or poles, including sceptre, although those forms developed through separate branches of usage.
How scape is actually used
Scape is a specialized and relatively uncommon word. In botany it usually denotes a leafless flowering stalk, especially one bearing a solitary flower or flower cluster; in architectural description it can refer to a stalk-like ornamental projection.
Easily confused with scape
A scape is a botanical flower stalk, whereas escape means to get away from danger, confinement, or pursuit.